All Blacks announce 2014 training squad

A wider training group of 35 players has been selected to attend the All Blacks training camps ahead of the three test series against England.

The two training camps will be held in Christchurch from Sunday 18 May – Tuesday 20 May and Wellington from Sunday 25 May – Tuesday 27 May.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said the two camps would once again form a massive part of the team’s preparations for the Steinlager Series against England.

“With players coming from five different Super Rugby teams, it’s important that we get aligned on our game plans and skill sets. The challenge the English bring means we will need to be at our very best as quickly as possible.

“The camps also give the All Blacks Management time to meet and learn in greater details about some of the younger players who have been named. The All Blacks Management would like to thank the Super Rugby coaches and teams for their support in agreeing to these camps.”

Hansen said the number of players attending the camps was limited to 35 so, as usual, there were several players whom the All Blacks Management already knew about who would not be attending the camps.

Hansen said the official 31-man All Blacks squad for the Steinlager Series will be named in Auckland on Sunday 1 June and the camps and Super Rugby games between now and then would help the selectors finalise the squad.